The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron Read Free Book Online Page A

contorted her face in an animated frown.
    “Well, keep her away from William, that’s all I have to say. He woke up in a rotten mood and has been in his usual take-charge mode ever since. He’s even managed to issue orders to the wedding planners. If he finds out she’s here in the midst of it, you might not be able to vouch for her safety.”
    Sera was taken aback by the comment. Wasn’t William the person she was supposed to meet? He should have been expecting her.
    “Look at her.” Paul slugged his sister’s shoulder with a mock punch. “She’s turned into a deer in the headlights. Five minutes and Manhattan is already thinking about hightailing it out of here.”
    Had that all shown on her face? Sera had to think it was possible, because that was exactly what had been flying through her mind.
    Macie leaned in to shake her hand and whispered, “Manhattan? Is that a real nickname or one that this guy gave you?”
    “It’s Sera,” she said, offering a smile in greeting.
    “The Hanover men fancy themselves clever with handing out nicknames. No one else likes it either. Paul here’s called me Spacey-Macie since I was five and got lost at the grocery store. Word to the wise—they’ll never let anyone forget a nickname once they’re branded.”
    “I heard that.” Paul stepped up and issued her a stern frown. “And for your information, I’m not the one who gave it to her.”
    Sera looked back and forth between them. “I’m here onbusiness, actually. Estate business. I’m supposed to meet with a Mr. William Hanover? I believe he’s expecting me.”
    “You’re here to see William?” Macie said, and exchanged glances with Paul. His face was covered with a curious grin.
    It made Sera even more nervous. “Is that a problem?”
    “Oh, believe me, honey, he’s not expecting you,” Macie answered, shaking her head rather sorrowfully.
    “He’s not?”
    “Well, not really.” Paul echoed his younger sister’s statement, but with something lighter about his voice. He seemed to be close to laughing. “But I’d say he probably knows you’re here.”
    “But my assistant said—”
    “I’m sure your assistant had it right. It’s about the painting?”
    Sera nodded, not sure what to make of the odd reception the Hanover house presented its guests.
    “When he finds out you’re here, it’s going to send him into hyperdrive.” Macie gave her a weak smile as she reached out to pat Sera’s elbow. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Well, he might already know she’s here, Mace.”
    The bride shook her head. “No way. He would have said something.”
    “So I’m guessing, Miss James, that you had no idea my grandfather’s will is being contested and that all of his holdings are tied up in the hands of the court.” Paul’s face dropped when she was rendered speechless. “Classic. They didn’t tell you?”
    “No, not a word.” Sera shook her head, befuddled by the revelation that the painting might be unattainable even to the Hanovers. Getting involved with legal proceedings was messy business. “What’s going on?”
    “Well, I’m sorry to tell you this.” Paul shook his head. “But there’s only one thing standing between my family and our inheritance, and that something is the painting. William is unlikely to be happy to see you.”
    At his words Sera did a double take, looking from the blushing bride back to him. “Why . . . ? He doesn’t even know me.”
    “He knows everything he needs to, Miss James. You just happen to be searching for the painting whose owner is set to inherit the entire hundred-million-dollar Hanover estate.”

CHAPTER SIX

    T his was bigger news than Sera was prepared for at the moment. Not in the first hour of her having landed in California. And not as she sat waiting in a chair across from the massive desk, tapping her feet like a schoolgirl who’d been sent to the principal’s office. But here she was, suit-clad Manhattan, waiting for the head of the Hanover clan